New stores & ranges keep Q3 on Topps

UK tiles expert Topps Tiles has communicated that its continued rollout of its core estate, alongside new ranges, contributed to a 0.2% quarter three growth in like-for-like sales.

During the period, covering the 13 weeks ending 2 July 2016, Topps Tiles opened six new stores, bringing its portfolio up to 348 including 15 Boutique stores, as Q3 like-for-like sales improved from 6% in 2015 to 6.2%.

Topps reported that its exit of real wood flooring is ‘almost complete’, creating space for new ranges, with sales from recently launched lines accounting for 8.8% of total sales in the period.

As well as expanding its store estate, Topps launched a new personalised digital brochure service that enables customers to create a bespoke brochure with content specific to the rooms and designs that they are interested in, with around 1,000 being created each week.

Matthew Williams, chief executive officer, said: “Our focus on the successful strategy of ‘Out Specialising the Specialists’ has enabled us to deliver healthy like-for-like sales growth of 6.2% in the third quarter, with initiatives to extend the appeal of the Topps brand continuing to attract new customers.

“While it is currently too early to ascertain the implications of the result of the UK referendum, we remain confident in the longer term outlook for our business and in our ability to outperform the market.”